PM Modi in US Highlights (Feb14): PM Modi leaves for India after 2-day visit to United States

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has left for India following a two-day official visit to the United States. During his visit, he engaged in high-level discussions with US President Donald Trump and other senior officials, focusing on key areas of bilateral cooperation, including defense, trade, energy, and technology. The visit also marked the announcement of several significant initiatives, such as the US-India Compact for the 21st Century, Mission-500 to boost trade, and plans for a new 10-year defense framework. With a strong emphasis on strengthening strategic ties and fostering economic collaboration, PM Modi’s visit underscored the deepening partnership between India and the United States.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi indicated that he did not discuss the bribery charges pressed by the US authorities against billionaire and Adani group chairman Gautam Adani with US President Donald Trump during a bilateral meeting on Thursday at the White House. Declining to directly comment on the bribery allegations, PM Modi said leaders don't sit and talk about such "personal cases". "India is a democracy, and our culture follows 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'—we see the world as one family. I consider every Indian as my own. Moreover, leaders of two nations do not meet to discuss such personal matters," Modi said during his interaction with the media. (Read More)

The Trump administration is making bold economic and policy moves, from federal workforce layoffs to trade tariffs, while financial experts warn of a looming debt crisis. Fund manager Ray Dalio cautions that the U.S. must rein in its deficit before bond markets react negatively. Meanwhile, a high-profile merger between Nissan and Honda has collapsed, and the State Department has clarified that no contract exists for armored Teslas. All this and more on the February 14 edition of World Street. (Read More)

• The two leaders jointly launched the US-India Compact for the 21st Century to drive opportunities in military partnership, accelerated commerce, and technology.
• In trade and investment, they unveiled Mission-500, aiming to more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
• Plans were announced to negotiate the first phase of a multi-sector bilateral trade agreement by fall 2025.
• Both countries will adopt an integrated approach to strengthening trade across goods and services sectors.
• A renewed commitment was made to greenfield investments in high-value industries in each other’s countries.
• The leaders confirmed plans to finalize a new 10-year framework for the US-India Major Defense Partnership (2025–2035).
• They agreed to advance ongoing defence procurement negotiations, covering land and air systems as well as co-production agreements.
• Discussions will be initiated on a reciprocal defense procurement agreement to further strengthen defense collaboration.

• The two countries agreed to collaborate on hydrocarbon production to support global energy price stability and ensure affordable energy access, said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
• Prime Minister Modi invited President Trump to visit India for the Quad Summit, as announced by FS Vikram Misri during a press briefing in Washington, D.C.
• This marks PM Modi’s first visit to the United States since President Trump’s second-term inauguration.
• The visit, taking place just over three weeks after the inauguration, highlights the high priority both leaders place on the India-US relationshi

Defence remains a crucial pillar of the strategic partnership between the two nations, as highlighted by both leaders. They announced plans to finalise a new 10-year framework for the US-India major defence partnership, set to span from 2025 to 2035. This framework, aimed at strengthening defense cooperation in the 21st century, is expected to be finalised later this year, says Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Modi-Trump bilateral talks

• Relationship on solid footing
• Both leaders agreed to tackle the issue of illegal immigrants
• Multi-sector bilateral trade talks held at White House

"The PM just concluded a very substantive and productive visit to the United States at the invitation of President Donald Trump. This is the Prime Minister's first visit to the United States after the inauguration of President Trump for a second term. This visit is a signal of the priority that both leaders attach to the India-US relationship... The newly confirmed Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, paid a call to the PM. The PM received Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. The discussions at the White House went on for 4 hours... The discussions covered a lot of ground. The entire gamut of the relationship, ranging from strategic and security cooperation, defence, trade and economic engagement, technology, energy security and people-to-people linkages, regional and global issues of concerns were dealt with..."

During their meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., on February 13, US President Donald Trump presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the book 'Our Journey Together.' He also shared several photos from the 'Howdy Modi' and 'Namaste Trump' events, which are featured in the book.

• Panama has received the first US flight carrying deportees from other nations as the Trump administration takes Panama up on its offer to act as a stopover for expelled migrants, the Central American nation's president said Thursday.
• “Yesterday a flight from the United States Air Force arrived with 119 people from diverse nationalities of the world,” President José Raúl Mulino said Thursday in his weekly press briefing. He said there were migrants from China, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan aboard. (AP)

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said his administration will impose reciprocal tariffs on India, which is one of the “most high-tariff nations”, as he was unable to get any concession during his first term. (Read More)

PM Modi in US Live: PMO on Modi-Trump meeting

India is reforming its laws to welcome US nuclear technologies into Indian market: President Trump

Relationship with India and PM Modi never been better, says Trump as both leaders conclude the joint presser in the East Room of the White House.

PM Modi is a better negotiator than me, says Trump

Addressing elements in the US working against India, including Khalistani separatists, President Donald Trump remarked, "I don’t think India had a strong relationship with the Biden administration... A lot of things happened that were not very appropriate between India and the previous administration. We are immediately extraditing a very violent man, Tahawwur Rana, to India, with more to follow as we have several pending requests. We are committed to working with India on crime and ensuring a positive partnership for the country."

US paving way to ultimately sell F-35 fighter jets to India, says Trump

Trump is the only individual who has copyright over the word 'deal', says PM Modi

• Illegal immigration a global issue, not just about India, says PM Modi
• Our bigger fight is against the ecosystem of illegal immigration, says PM Modi

• Illegal immigration a global issue, not just about India, says PM Modi
• Our bigger fight is against the ecosystem of illegal immigration, says PM Modi

• 'Reciprocal tariffs not triggered by India,' says Donald Trump
• Reciprocal tariffs for MAGA, says Trump
• Don't blame India for tariff game, says Trump

PM Modi invites Trump to India

US President Donald Trump stated, "We have agreed to collaborate on creating one of the most significant trade routes in history. This route will extend from India to Israel, then to Italy, and onward to the US, linking our partners through roads, railways, and undersea cables. It marks a major development..."

When I talk about Viksit Bharat, I can say that it is like 'Make India Great Again.' So when your (Trump's) MAGA meets our MIGA, it leads to mega partnership in many spheres

• 'US and India will work like never before to fight the radical Islamist threat..,' says Trump
• We are going to remain at the top to 'AI' game, says Trump

• My admin has approved an extradition of 26/11 plotter Tahawwur Hussain Rana, says Trump
• We will fight radical Islam, says President Trump

US approves extradition of key 26/11 plotter 'to face justice in India' - Trump in joint statement

After the presser, PM Modi and President Trump will give joint statement anytime now. This will be a key address that will give an insight into the next phase of Indo-US ties

"The United States is the world’s oldest democracy, and India is the largest. When our two nations unite, it’s not just 1+1=2—it’s 1+1=11, a force far greater than the sum of its parts. This strength will drive progress for the welfare of humanity. I sincerely thank my friend, President Donald Trump, and together, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing the prosperity and progress of our nations," says PM Modi

PM Modi a terrific man, we will make wonderful trade deals with India, says Donald Trump.

'Modi says India is not neutral. India has picked a side. It has picked the side of "peace",' says PM Modi on Ukraine-Russia war

On Bangladesh, President Trump says that 'there was no role of our deep state'

• A great leader, he is doing a great job in India, says President Trump for PM Modi.
• India not neutral in Russia-Ukraine war, says PM Modi in his opening remark.

'One thing that i deeply appreciate and have learned form President Trump is to keep nation first,' says PM Modi

'On behalf of 1.4 billion Indians, I congratulate you for White House return,' says PM Modi to President Trump. he also talks about how President Trump reminded him of the Ahmedabad event.

Now we can see both leaders in a warm embrace. This is the personal chemistry everyone has been talking about. Many US journalists say that this is Trump, who never really hugs anyone in public, going all way out. At the moment, the critical bilateral between the two leaders is underway.

PM Modi, President Trump are sitting next to each other at the Oval Office. The world media is present in the room as everyone waits for the two leaders to address the media.

The high-level Indian delegation that is accompanying PM Modi to the White House include External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar,  National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. India's Ambassador to the US Vinay Mohan Kwatra is also part of the delegation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the White House in Washington, DC to meet US President Donald Trump.

Ceremonial guards gather at the premises of the White House to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he is set to arrive shortly.

US President Donald Trump says, "BRICS was put there for a bad purpose... I told them if they want to play games with the Dollar, then they are going to be hit by a 100% tariff. The day they mention that they want to do it, they will come back and say - we beg you, we beg you. BRICS is dead since I mentioned that..."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and said, "Met Vivek Ramaswamy and his father-in-law in Washington DC. We talked about diverse issues including innovation, culture and more."

Indian flag being put up and ceremonial guards gather at the premises of the White House to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he is set to arrive there shortly.

On the meeting between PM Narendra Modi and Elon Musk, US President Donald Trump says, "...They met. I assume he wants to do business in India. But India is a very hard place to do business in because of the tariffs. They have the highest tariffs...It's a hard place to do business. I would imagine he met possibly because he is running a company, he is doing this as something that he has felt strongly about for a long time..."

The president on Thursday signed a measure directing the US Trade Representative and Commerce secretary to propose new levies on a country-by-country basis. Read more

On reciprocal tariffs, US President Donald Trump said, "...This is something that should have been done many years ago. China did it at a level that probably nobody has ever seen before...It is going to mean a tremendous amount of jobs, and ultimately, prices will stay the same..."

"It was a pleasure and honour to welcome Prime Minister Modi here. Hope he has a wonderful visit and it was a great meeting," says Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy after his bilateral meeting with PM Narendra Modi.

US President Donald Trump said he would "love to have Russia back in G7". "It was a mistake to kick Russia out of the G7," Trump told reporters in the White House, Reuters reported.

Russia was expelled in 2014 after Moscow's invasion of Crimea.

US President Donald Trump announced sweeping "reciprocal tariffs" hitting both allies and competitors, in a dramatic escalation of an international trade war that economists warn could fuel inflation at home.

Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said he decided to impose reciprocal duties, telling reporters that US allies were often "worse than our enemies" on trade issues.

On reciprocal tariffs, Donald Trump's nominee to run the Commerce Department, Howard Lutnick, said they were going to address each country one by one.

Just hours ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Donald Trump, while talking about his intentions of imposing reciprocal tariffs,  said, "India has more tariffs than nearly any other country." (Reuters)

While signing an order on reciprocal tariffs, Donald Trump said he will consider countries that "use a valued-added tax system as tariff".

Here are key takeaways:

- Sending merchandise through another country to avoid tariffs will not be accepted

- Provisions will be made for non-monetary tariff, such as tests on cars

- Provisions for non-monetary tariffs will include limitations on trade

- Commerce nominee Howard Lutnick will come up with numbers equivalent to those limitations and other non-tariff barriers

- Other countries can reduce tariffs or eliminate

- Car tariffs coming soon

(With inputs from Reuters)

US President Donald Trump announced the reciprocal tariffs and said that he decided to charge a reciprocal tariff to bring fairness back.

“We want a level playing field,” he said, according to Reuters.

• A mobile billboard advertising truck in Washington, DC displayed boards ahead of the meeting between PM Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump.
• The two leaders will meet today for the first time in person after the inauguration of President Trump as the 47th US President on Jan 20, 2025.

"Elon Musk, Head of the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and CEO of Tesla called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today. Prime Minister and Mr. Musk discussed strengthening collaboration between Indian and US entities in innovation, space exploration, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development. Their discussion also touched on opportunities to deepen cooperation in emerging technologies, entrepreneurship and good governance. Mr. Musk was accompanied by family members for the meeting," PMO stated.

"It was also a delight to meet Elon Musk's family and to talk about a wide range of subjects!..." PM Modi said after meeting with Elon Musk and his kids.

After holding a bilateral meeting with the Tesla CEO, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X and said, "Had a very good meeting with Elon Musk in Washington DC. We discussed various issues, including those he is passionate about, such as space, mobility, technology and innovation. I talked about India’s efforts towards reform and furthering ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance'..."

A bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is underway at Blair House in Washington, DC.

• People, under the aegis of 'Awami League and its sister organizations' raise slogans against Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus outside Blair House in Washington, DC (US). PM Modi is staying at the Blair House.
• Slogans of "Step down, step down! Killer Yunus, killer Yunus" were raised.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed that the meeting with US National Security Advisor was fruitful and that Waltz has always been a great friend of India.

"Defence, technology and security are important aspects of India-USA ties and we had a wonderful discussion around these issues," tweeted PM Modi on X.  The Prime Minister also remarked that there is strong potential for cooperation in sectors like AI, semiconductors, space and more. Read more

• Members of the Indian diaspora gathered outside Blair House in Washington, DC and raised slogans of 'Vande Mataram and 'Bharat Mata ki jai'.
• The Prime Minister is staying at Blair House during his visit to the US.

PM Narendra Modi tweets, "Had a fruitful meeting with NSA Mike Waltz. He has always been a great friend of India. Defence, technology and security are important aspects of India-USA ties and we had a wonderful discussion around these issues. There is strong potential for cooperation in sectors like AI, semiconductors, space and more."

PM Modi in US Live Updates: PM Modi and Tesla CEO Elon Musk hold bilateral meeting in Washington

Modi-Elon Musk Meeting Live: Elon Musk arrives at Blair House to meet PM Modi

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has arrived at the Blair House in Washington, DC, for a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz has concluded.

• The bilateral meeting between PM Narendra Modi and US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz underway at Blair House in Washington, DC.
• External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also present in the meeting.

During his two-day visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is staying at the Blair House, an historic guest lodging for dignitaries visiting the White House.

Located at 1651 Pennsylvania Avenue, directly across the street from the White House, this historic home is not an ordinary guest house. Blair House has hosted Presidents, royalty, and world leaders, earning its nickname as "the world's most exclusive hotel".

Hours ahead of the much-anticipated meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and American President Donald Trump, CNBCTV18 quoting a senior White House official, reported that India and US will sign a new defence framework today. Read more

US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz arrives at Blair House in Washington, DC, for a bilateral meeting with PM Narendra Modi.

Ahead of PM Modi and Donald Trump's meet, a senior White House official told CNBC-TV18, “On China, the President is very proud to have really augmented and strengthened the partnership with India particularly in the border crisis with Chinese. India is a critical part of our Indo-Pacific strategy. It has been in the public domain for sometime and I expect that will continue,”

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, the Congress on Thursday (February 13, 2025) asked if he would "summon up the courage" to convey India's collective outrage at the "inhuman manner" in which Indian citizens were deported from that country.

Posing a series of questions to the Prime Minister, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh also asked if PM Modi would convey to the US President that India would send its own aircraft -- like Venezuela and Colombia did -- to bring back Indian deportees in the future.

Amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit US, India and US are set to announce a roadmap for a strong trade pact with sector specific arrangements, CNBC-TV18 quoted sources as saying.

Talks between President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will further provide momentum to solidify a fair bilateral trade partnership which could be announced by fall of 2025, CNBC quoted a senior White House official as saying.

Full schedule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump's meeting at the White House:

1600 Hrs (EST) - Arrival at White House

1605 - 1650 Hrs (EST)- Bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump

1710 - 1740 Hrs (EST)- Press statements where both the leaders will take questions

1740 - 1840 Hrs (EST) - Dinner hosted by President Trump

Former diplomat Surendra Kumar told ANI, “Another issue which we can really see is that many times during President Biden, there were some Democrats and even some State Department people raising a lot of issues about the issue of minorities in India, issue of freedom of expression, freedom of the press. Now, we feel that President Trump is much less gung-ho on these matters. We will not find that kind of criticism because they know that we are doing our best to what the Prime Minister says. So I hope everything should be all right."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will come bearing gifts when he meets Donald Trump on Thursday, hoping concessions on tariffs, fresh business deals and the prospect of cooperation on China will win the US President's favor, according to Reuters.

Trump, since being sworn-in as President, has wielded the threat of tariffs against friend and foe alike to try to extract new trade deals, investment or law enforcement help.

Ahead of his White House meeting on Thursday, Modi has readied promises including increased liquefied natural gas, combat vehicle and jet engine purchases, according to Indian government officials who declined to be named, Reuters reported.

US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a joint press conference, the White House announced. The press conference will take place at around 3.40 am Indian Standard Time, according to News18.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a two-day visit to US, is expected to propose tariff cuts and increased energy and defence imports during a meeting with US President Donald Trump.

PM Modi is keen to avert a potential trade war and boost trade ties after Trump threatened reciprocal tariffs on many countries, including a 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminium imports. (Reuters)

Ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, Donald Trump posted a cryptic message on Truth Social, saying, "Three great weeks, perhaps the best ever, but today is the big one: reciprocal tariffs!!! Make America Great Again!!!"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold bilateral discussions with US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy today as part of his two-day visit to the United States.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh raised concerns about Prime Minister Modi's expected meeting with industrialist Elon Musk, asking whether Modi would insist that Tesla manufacture, not just assemble, electric vehicles in India. Ramesh also questioned if Modi would reaffirm his 2014 policy on auctioning spectrum instead of administrative allocation, and if he would stress the non-negotiable security issues related to satellite internet providers like Starlink.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares for his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on February 13, 2025, investors are keenly watching for insights into trade, economic policy, and the future of bilateral relations—key factors that could either bolster or pose challenges to India’s position as a growing market with low geopolitical risks. The talks may have significant implications for industries like manufacturing, defense, and IT services, all of which are affected by shifts in US policy

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, Congress raised concerns about whether Modi would voice India's anger over the "inhuman" deportation of Indian nationals. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posed several key questions, asking if Modi would propose sending Indian aircraft for deportations, like Venezuela and Colombia did. Ramesh also inquired if Modi would address India’s position on Palestine, criticize Trump's pullback from international agreements, and highlight issues with H1B visa discrimination. Furthermore, he questioned Modi's approach to discussions with Elon Musk and other policy issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will bring proposals to U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday, aiming for tariff concessions, new business deals, and potential cooperation on China to gain Trump's favor. Indian officials are also exploring trade talks, deals on U.S. agricultural exports to India, nuclear energy investments, and tariff reductions in sectors such as electronics, medical equipment, and chemicals—areas Trump’s team believes India needs to address.

BJP leader Prakash Reddy praised Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US, expressing confidence that his talks with President Trump would strengthen the India-US relationship. Reddy emphasized that their discussions would focus on critical global issues, particularly the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the Israel-Gaza situation. "I believe the meeting between PM Modi and President Trump will enhance the bilateral relationship between India and the US. Their discussions will address key global concerns, especially the Ukraine-Russia war and the Israel-Gaza conflict. I am hopeful this meeting will bring constructive solutions to these issues," Reddy stated.

Trump advocates the use of tariff on imports to meet multiple objectives.

In the case of India, he described the country as a “tariff king” during his first term. Consequently, India’s tariff level on US imports is expected to be high on the agenda.

More here.

The US has emerged as the third most important source of arms procurement for India.

Among major deals concluded in the recent past are 11 C-17 Globemaster-III strategic aircraft for $4.5 billion and 31 MQ-9B Predator drones for $3.8 billion. Yet, there are irritants in this growing partnership.

India unveiled plans to amend its nuclear liability law and establish a nuclear energy mission on February 1.

Certain clauses in India's Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 have emerged as hurdles in moving forward in implementation of the historic civil nuclear deal that was firmed up between the two strategic partners around 16 years back.

He is the fourth foreign leader hosted by Trump over the weeks since his inauguration.

Within less than a month of the start of his second term in the White House, Trump has hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

Ahead of his White House meeting on Thursday, Modi has readied promises including increased liquefied natural gas, combat vehicle and jet engine purchases, Reuters reported.

Indian officials are also looking at trade negotiations, possible deals on U.S. agriculture exports to India and investment in nuclear energy, along with tariff cuts in at least a dozen sectors, including electronics, medical and surgical equipment, and chemicals.

Modi and Trump have a history of high-profile public engagements, from the ‘Howdy Modi’ event in Houston to Trump’s 2020 visit to Ahmedabad. Their strong personal rapport is expected to ease tensions in trade and immigration discussions.

The visit comes at a time of increasing Indian influence in US politics.

Modi is also expected to meet Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk during his visit.

According to Reuters, discussions may include the long-delayed entry of Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, into the Indian market.

Modi and Trump will hold bilateral discussions in the White House on Thursday.

“Our nations will keep working closely for the benefit of our people and for a better future for our planet,” Modi said on X.

The Trump-Modi meeting will be followed by a private dinner, as per reports.

The two leaders will address the media in the Oval Office before or after the meeting, Reuters reported.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a press conference on Thursday when they meet in Washington, Reuters reported.

Their joint press conference with Trump is set for 1710 ET (2200 GMT), the White House said on Wednesday.

During his 36-hour visit, Modi is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with President Trump in both restricted and delegation-level formats, as per reports.

Reportedly, Modi will be holding at least six bilateral meetings during his stay.